I have the same problem. I ordered a 21.5" iMac, a SuperDrive, and Applecare from MacMall on November 30th. The SuperDrive and Applecare were shipped that day. The latest estimate from MacMall is that they won't get any units until December 31st! That means I won't get my unit until the first week of January at the earliest. So, since the Applecare starts the date the product was sold, I will be at least 5 weeks in the hole for coverage by the time it arrives. Since these delivery problems were Apple's, I believe it only fair that they extend the coverage to 3 years from the date the product was shipped at the very least. Are you listening Apple?

ACP will not start until they ship your iMac.
In my case I ordered my on Nov 30, and my iMac arrived on Dec 12 then they shipped my ACP package to me few day later.
ACP document state it start cover begin at Dec 10 so it really doesn't lost any day.

ACP will not start until they ship your iMac.
In my case I ordered my on Nov 30, and my iMac arrived on Dec 12 then they shipped my ACP package to me few day later.
ACP document state it start cover begin at Dec 10 so it really doesn't lost any day.

Unfortunately, as I said in my post, my ACP was shipped (by MacMall) over 30 days prior to receiving the iMac. I'll just have to wait and see what the listed coverage dates are, I guess.

...
On Dec 22th I got an ACP Certificate from Ireland with an end date of Dec 16th 2015 (paper letter). I wonder about the start of this AppleCare perhaps 2 weeks before delivery.
...

After you get your Mac, check the actual status of the agreement as they may automatically correct the agreement when the computer ships. If there is still an issue after you receive your Mac, you can contact them via phone or email and explain the situation.

As others have said, AC starts the day your computer ships. You can check your machine warranty period at Apple's support site. You need your serial.

If the warranty start date online doesn't match your actual ship date (not order date, not the day you rec'd) then call Apple and they will adjust the date. It may take up to two weeks to show online.

__________________Walled Garden ≠ Prison:"People who use Apple products considered their options, and chose Apple. If they regret their decision, they can dump it at any time."-- Harry McCracken, Technologizer.com